DNA barcoding confirms the identity of the invasive Sonchus arvensis in Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Sonchus arvensis subsp. arvensis is a perennial plant that serves both as a traditional medicinal herb and a prolific invasive weed. Its recent introduction to Southeast Asia, including Java, Indonesia, poses a potential threat to native biodiversity, yet its genetic provenance and invasion history in the region are uncharacterized. To provide a reliable species-level identification, we employed DNA barcoding of the chloroplast genes rbcL and matK. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that samples from the four geographically distinct areas were genetically uniform based on these markers and were placed within a clade containing Eurasian S. arvensis accessions. The invader was distinct from the native Australasian Sonchus species. This work represents the first molecular confirmation of S. arvensis in Java using DNA barcodes. While it establishes species identity, further genomic studies are required to resolve the population history, introduction pathway, and ecological impact of this invasive species.